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Monthly Archives: November 2011

I had hoped to do more blogging, but it takes time. Time which I could put towards writing, thus no updates for a few days. If you read nothing else, scroll down to the bottom for a great snack!

In general, I’m behind. I had a good run at the beginning, but the weekend killed me. My wife and I had something going on Fri night and Sat, so I didn’t get much in then. I ended up taking Sun off as well, which left me with 6,630 out of 10,002 that I really needed. Blah.

The last few days have been pretty good, though. I’ve gotten above the recommended daily goals with 2,200 Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday wasn’t as good, I got started late, and didn’t get a ton done before I got tired. I’m aiming to make that up today, though.

In other news, Scrivener for Windows is officially out now! If you can’t tell, I am a fan. I’ve used it since Dec of last year when they started the beta program. Go check it out here.

Lastly, a little advice. As I was writing the other day, I found that my leader of the elves character was more selfish and foolish than I had first imagined. Heck, he was just using my MC as a power play. 7 chapters into the story, and everyone but my MC knows what is going on and why he is there. I really feels sorry for him, although he is taking it in stride.

The story started to go in a direction that I hadn’t planned, and I was seeing possibilities. But, my MC still needed to know what was going on, even if the ruler was an idiot. The ruler is the one to tell him, or take him to the right person. That is sill in process. So, I had to rein things in a bit, and pull the “Author” card, and nudge them in the direction I wanted them to go. So far, it working.

So, that advice? You are the writer, they are your characters. Yes, they take on characteristics that you didn’t know about before. They change as you go, sometimes. But, you are the one who is directing them. Use those quirks that come out, and let them work for you. You, as the Author, are ultimately in control of the story. Or, if things get really out of hand. You can always clean the slate and start with a new character. My ML did that with a gas explosion that killed everyone. See? You are in control.

One last thing. You need to have a snack for NaNo, right? Here’s one I like. I don’t know where we got it, so I can’t attribute it to anyone, sorry.

Chocolate Mug Cake

1 Coffee Mug

4 T. plain flour

4 T. sugar

2 T. baking cocoa

1 egg

3 T. milk

3 T. oil

3 T. chocolate chips

splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to the mug. Mix well. Add egg, mix. Pour in mil & oil, mix. Add chocolate chips & vanilla, mix again. Microwave the mug for 3 minutes. The cake will probably rise over the top, but don’t worry about it. Allow it to cool. If you want, tip it out onto a plate and enjoy. (I usually leave it in the mug, myself.)